Antipersonnel device



June 3, 1969 R. LAPoF 3,447,461

ANTIPERSONNEL DEVICE Filed Nov. 16, 1967 INVJN'IOR. 57 /7 56 57 *59 6055 RAY LAPoF ATTORNEY 3,447,461 ANTIPERSONNEL DEVICE Ray Lapof, 37 W. 12th St., New York, N.Y. 10011 Filed Nov. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 683,617 Int. Cl. F42b 23/00 U.S. Cl. 102-8 9 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention is in the field of antipersonnel devices and particularly lightweight, readily sown devices which may be disseminated by hand, by mortar, air drop or the like.

In warfare, and particularly in guerrilla warfare, it is desirable that certain territory or territories be rendered impassible for predetermined short periods of time and that lsubsequently the territories be rendered free for passage. For example, in friendly territories subject to frequent guerrilla raids and particularly night raids, it may be desired to render certain paths, trails or areas impassible during the night time, which paths, trails or areas must be traversed by friendly troops or civilians the following day.

In other tactical situations, it is often desired to provide a rapidly constructible, temporary cordon sanitaire or defense perimeter which cannot be crossed -by the enemy without an unacceptably high casualty rate, the perimeter, as noted, being of a temporary nature so as to permit traversing the terrain previously rendered im-A penetrable within a relatively short time period after creation of the cordon sanitaire.

The prior art Land mines have long been recognized as a means of barring certain territory to the enemy. However, such land mines have numerous drawbacks in current tactical situations particularly involving guerrilla warfare.

First, such mines require considerable time for their deployment. Second, where the areas of deployment must be traversed by friendly troops or civilians, it is mandatory that the placement of the mines be charted and that such troops or civilians be provided with charts. Third, mines as heretofore known are typically placed at relatively widely spaced areas and, thus, do not form effective weapons against so-called mass troop or human wave attacks, wherein the enemy is willing to suffer moderate casualties by way of detonations in order to permit further troop passage across the areas where the mines have been detonated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a compact, lightweight, readily sown antipersonnel mine which may be disseminated in large numbers and triggered by pressure and which will automatically become inert and deactivated with the passage of time.

The invention may be further summarized as relating to an antipersonnel device having a highly simplified, automatic internal deactivating mechanism whereby the denited States Patent O 3,447,46l Patented June 3, 1969 vices may be sown in an area with the assurance that after the passage of time the area will be accessible.

The invention furthetr relates to antipersonnel devices of the type described which are extremely inexpensive to manufacture so that they may economically be thickly disseminated, to render an area impenetrable, the low expense of the devices permitting repeated replacement, i.e. each nightfall.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an inexpensive antipersonnel device which is automatically neutralized with the passage of time.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the type described which may be readily sown in large numbers, to render an area impenetrable, the area being automatically rendered subject to safe passage after the lapsing of a predetermined time period.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the class described which may be sown so rapidly and in such large numbers that it is not necessary to conceal the location of the devices, in order to prevent or delay the passage of enemy troops.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an antipersonnel device which may be rapidly disseminated, to provide a temporary but elfective cordon sanitaire or defense perimeter.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the type described which is neutralized by moisture, either atmospheric moisture or moisture from an internal vessel which is fractured when the article is disseminated.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a device;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4- of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a section similar to FIGURE 4 of a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly the embodiment of FIGURES l to 4, there is shown at 10` an enclosure member which may be metallic or plastic, the container of this embodiment being provided with a series of access apertures 11 for communicating the environment to the interior of the container Preferably the over-all dimensions of the container 10 are such as to permit a foot soldier to carry a multiplicity of the devices.

Since the antipersonnel device is intended merely to incapacitate a person coming in direct contact with the unit, the over-all size and high explosive charge need not be great and, thus, a disk-shaped container having a diameter of three to four inches will be suicient to accommodate the high explosive charge as well as the associated mechanisms for deactivating the unit.

Within the container there is disposed a high explosive charge 12 in communication with a suitable pressure sensitive detonator core 13 of fulminate or the like. As will be seen from FIGURES 2 and 3, a detonator pin 14 is disposed in registry with the core 13, the pin 14 `being normally maintained in spaced relation to the detonator by a resilient, parti-sperical cap member 15 to which the pin 14 is integrally or separately assembled.

As will be obvious from the figures, and particularly FIGURES 1 and 3, pressure on the cap drives the pin 14 into the detonator, to explode the device, the location of the cap 15 being such that pressure on the container will perspective view of an antipersonnel induce detonation whether the cap side is up or down.

It will be evident that any other pressure or proximity sensitive detonation means may be substituted for the conventional detonator assembly and cap shown.

Prior to dissemination, the containers may be bulkpacked with annular separator frame means (not shown) interposed between adjacent containers so as to avoid pressure on the detonator components during shipping.

The primary contribution of the present invention lies in the concept and provision of novel and inexpensive means for automatically deactivating the sown devices. In the embodiment of FIGURE l, the deactivating means comprises a shutter member 16 which is shiftable between the activating or solid line position shown in FIGURE 2 and the deactivating or dot and dash line position shown in such figure. The shutter means 16 is pivotally mounted about upstanding pivot post 17, which post may be formed integrally with the container.

A tension spring 18 has one end 19 secured to the shutter in spaced relation to the pivot post 17, the opposite end 20 of the spring 18 being made fast to a spring support lug 21 formed on the interior of the container.

It will be seen, particularly from FIGURE 2, that the spring 18, which is under tension, imparts an anti-clockwise torque to the shutter, the torque tending to rotate the shutter about post 17 to the dot and dash position in FIGURE 2. The rotative force of the spring 18 is resisted by a shutter release mechanism 22, best shown in FIG- URES 2 and 4. The shutter release mechanism comprises a pawl 23 which is pivoted at its lower end 24 about a pivot pin 25 passing through an aperture in the lower end of the pawl and a registering aperture in an understanding tab 26 formed on the bottom of the container 10. The horizontally disposed pin 25 permits a range of pivotal movement of the pawl 23. The pawl 23 is urged in a clockwise direction by deactivator spring 27 which is tensioned between spring seats 28 on the pawl and 29 on the side of the container.

It will be observed from FIGURES 2 and 4 that the spring 27 tends to impart a clockwise rotation to the pawl. This clockwise rotation is resisted by an extensible strand or thread 30 which has one end 31 fixed to a tab 32 within the container and an opposite end 33 aixed through aperture 34 in the pawl 23. It will be understood that when the strand 30 is fully extended, the pawl 23 is in the position shown in solid lines in FIGURES 4, namely, a generally vertically disposed alignment. The strand 30 resists the tendency of spring 27 to rotate the pawl about pivot pin 25.

The strand 30, in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 4, is made of a natural or synthetic ibre which tends to elongate under exposure to moisture. Examples of such natural and synthetic libres are viscose rayon, cellulose triacetate, nylon, wool, cotton or silk, the noted examples being by no means limitative but, rather, are cited for illustrative purposes only.

The shutter 16 is provided with a tooth 35 which is maintained against a side portion of the pawl 23 by the biasing influence of shutter spring 18.

The operation of the device will be clear from the foregoing description.

The device is sown, either by hand or by distribution from airplanes, mortars, rie grenades, etc. over a territory sought to be maintained impassable to the enemy. The containers are, of course, isolated against exposure to the atmosphere until they are to be used. When the containers are deployed, it will be evident that pressure on either of the two major faces of the container will detonate the high explosive and maim or kill a foot soldier or deactivate a vehicle which has applied the pressure.

In accordance with the presence invention, it is desired that after the passage of time the device should be rendered safe, i.e. immune to detonation responsive to the application of pressure. This effect is achieved by the use of the moisture distensible strand 30. With the exposure of such strand to moisture. such as atmospheric moisture which is admitted to the interior of the container through the apertures 11, the strand 30 will progressively stretch, due to the tension exerted thereon by the spring 27. As the strand stretches, there will be a gradual and progressive clockwise rotation of the pawl 23 about the pivot pin 25 until the pawl occupies the position shown in dot and dash lines, FIGURE 4.

As soon as the pawl has become withdrawn through the action of the spring 27, the shutter will be free to rotate counterclockwise from the solid to the dot and dash position shown in FIGURE 2, the shutter being maintained in its deactivated position by stop limit post 36, against which the shutter is disposed by the action 0f the spring 18. The post 36 includes an upwardly directed support portion 37 so as to underlie the shutter.

It will be observed that in the deactivated position the shutter is interposed between the detonator 13 and the detonator pin 14, in which position pressure against the cap member 15 will be ineffective to detonate the explosive.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a moisture responsive -deactivator device of very simple construction, which is effective to disarm the explosive within predetermined time ranges, which ranges may vary in accordance with the atmospheric moisture content, the composition of the strand 30 and the spring forces applied.

The apparatus of FIGURE 5, in which like parts have been given like reference numerals, operates on a principle quite similar to that of the previously described device. However, the device S0 of FIGURE 5 is deactivated in a more predictable manner, in dependent of outside moisturizing influences.

In this device, the access apertures 11 of the prior embodiment are eliminated and an internal source of moisture, in the form of a readily punctured capsule 51, is carried within the container. When the apparatus 50 is sown, the reactuator release cap 52 is depressed, causing the deactuator release pin 53 to fracture or puncture the capsule 51, releasing the fluid contents of the capsule.

In the device of FIGURE 5, the shutter 16 is urged by spring 18 against a vertically pivoted release pawl 54, pivotally mounted on horizontally disposed pin 5S. As in the prior embodiment, the tooth 35 of the shutter is biased against a side portion of the pawl 54 and is thus prevented from shifting to its deactivating position.

In this instance, the pawl 54 is caused to rotate clockwise to the shutter releasing position thereof by the expansion of a composition 56 stored within a cylinderlike container 57. In this embodiment, the container 57 is provided with access apertures 58 to permit moisture to permeate the composition 56, the composition comprising, without limitation, an expansible material, such as silica gel, calcium oxide or certain forms of clay, with or without hygroscopic material, such as calcium chloride dispersed therein. A piston member 59, closely following the bore of the container 57, seals the container, the piston being pivotally connected at 60 to the pawl 54.

It will be evident that when the material 56 expands, the piston 59 will be shifted outwardly of the container, imparting a clockwise movement to the pawl and urging the pawl toward the dot and dash position shown in FIG- URE 5, whereat the shutter will be permitted to pivot to a position at which it is interposed between the detonator pin 14 and the detonator, positively to prevent an explosion despite the application of pressure.

While in the embodiment of FIGURE 5 there is shown a direct connection between the piston 59 and the pawl 54, it will be appreciated that in view of the relatively small movement which may be achieved upon expansion of the composition, that a motion magnifying linkage will preferably be interposed between the piston 59 and the pawl 54.

While l have shown certain specific embodiments of deactivator units for purposes of compliance with the re- I quirements of the patent laws, it should be appreciated that many variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed within the scope of the appended claims.

From the foregoing it will be clear that there is provided a simple and inexpensive, readily sown and antipersonnel device having a deactivating unit suflicently simple and inexpensive to manufacture as to permit repeated minings or disseminations of the units.

As will be evident to the skilled worker in the field, it is feasible to distribute the units in an initially deactivated state wherein the shutter is interposed between the detonator and the detonator pin and subsequently, just prior to dispersal, shift the shutter to the detonator exposing position and at the same time stress the strand or apply compressive forces to the contained material.

It will also -be evident that the motion required to induce deactivation or disarming may be supplied by other materials than those mentioned and induced by other reagents than moisture.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A compact, land based, self-deactivating, antipersonnel device comprising a container, high explosive means in said container, pressure sensitive trigger means in said container for detonating said explosive responsive to pressure on said trigger means, and time delay deactivating means for preventing detonation of said explosive means notwithstanding pressure on said trigger means, said deactivating means including shutter means movably mounted in said container, spring rneanspressing said shutter means toward a deactivating position between said trigger means and said high explosive means, movable latch means normally disposed in latching position of said shutter means and blocking movement of said shutter means toward said deactivating position, and moisture responsive means subject to dimensional change responsive to predetermined exposure to moisture, operatively connected with said latch means for releasing said latch means from said latching position responsive to predetermined dimensional change of said moisture responsive means.

2. A device is accordance with claim 1 wherein said moisture responsive means is responsive to moisture in the vapor phase.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1, including biasing means yieldably urging said latch means away from said latching position, said moisture responsive means rcsisting movement of said latching means under the influence of said biasing means.

4. A device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said moisture responsive means comprises a strand under tension.

5. A device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said moisture responsive means comprises a composition in a container and means responsive to volumetric variations of said composition in said container.

6. A land type, compact antipersonnel device comprising a container having high explosive means, pressure responsive detonator means for said high explosive means, and time delay apparatus for deactivating said detonator means, said delay apparatus comprising means subject to dimensional change responsive to exposure to moisture in the vapor phase, a deactivator member shiftable between detonator .activating and detonator deactivating positions, and spring means for shifting said detonator from said activating to said deactivating position responsive to dimensional change of a predetermined magnitude of said moisture responsive means.

7. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said moisture responsive means comprises a strand under tension.

8. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said moisture responsive means comprises a composition in a container.

9. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said container is sealed and said device includes means for releasing moisture to the interior of said container responsive to impact of a predetermined magnitude against said container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 601,604 3/1898 Walsh 10210 2,368,310 1/1945 Lecky et al, 10Q/ 70 3,326,131 6/1967 HaZelet 102-79 3,358,600 12/1967 Griiith et al 102-24 SAMUEL W. ENGLE, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 102--70 

